We had to drag the Kids away from café 29 as they were having a wonderful time with the owners two little kids! Ruby was getting on really well with Ben and Diane’s daughter Ruby.

Firing up the Kea we start the one-hour journey South to Evans Head. Neither Dee nor I had been to Evans Head before so we were both excited about this leg of our journey! The Kid were so excited about the prospect of Kayaking the inevitable cry’s of “are we there yet” and “How much Longer” were endlessly coming from the back seats!

We got into town at about 11am. First stop for me was o check the surf so we headed straight to the main beach. As I thought the surf was pumping. The local surf club were having a comp “perfectly timed to co-inside with the great swell” reluctantly I turned the Kea around and we went in search Simon and Lorraine whom run the Evans River Cruises and kayak adventure tour. We found them with no problems; they were making final preparations to the equipment and had prepared a picnic lunch. Simone suggested that we take a short trip up to the look out which was a great suggestion as it give you the most amazing view over the bay and Bar and down upon the main point break of Evans head.

We hooked up again with the Simon and Lorraine at the boat ramp and prepared for the tour.

The Day was a little over cast but it was not going to dampen our enthusiasm for the trip. The Evans river is such a beautiful river and very safe. The town its self is small “about 2-3 thousand residents but apparently swells to 10 thousand during summer and I can see why.

At the Boat ramp is the first sign of what to expect from our trip. High about the ramp, perched on a large telegraph pole is the nest of a Sea Eagle whom had just caught a large fish!

Simon and his skipper get us on board and away we go. Firstly we take a quick trip down the river to the bar and the river mouth.

Simon and the skipper are fantastic, explaining to the kids about the river and what things you can see and do around the river mouth. The skipper spots a Turtle, which gets us all excited.

We start heading up the river within a few minute we spot and eagle ray and we manage to pull the boat right up along side it!

A quick stop to pick up the kayaks and we head towards the “IRON GATES”

Simon is a fantastic guide and all round great Bloke. He’s a long time surfer with a passion for the water and the environment and particularly the Evans River.

We take the Tour boat up the river as Simon regales Aboriginal stories of the rivers creation to the kids, explaining how places like Snake island got their name which have them transfixed.

The wild life is amazing and the wealth of water birds and birds of prey are everywhere.

We reach the “IRON GATE” which is a narrowing of the river which at one point in time was a natural rock barrier the separated the fresh water part of the Evans from the saltwater part. At some point in History it was blown up opening the two systems into each other.

The channel between the iron gates is notoriously dangerous to navigate and the water quite turbulent and the skipper gets us through with ease.

The river then opens up. Its amazing how beautiful the vegetation is and Simon explains the reason why this area has remained so. As with most of the other major river systems in Northern NSW the land around them is arable and the soil fertile and suitable for grazing and farming in general. The Evans System is quiet short and the soil less fertile so of little arable use.

The area now is national forest and you see pockets of rain forest etc as we move up the river.

We finally find a section of the river that has a large tidal sand bar exposed and we pull up and have our lunch.

Now it Kayak time!! Simon and Lorraine provide everyone with wet suits and the kid’s rubber up! Simon gives us all a quick lesson on how to paddle and everyone put on a life jacket. The river is really only about waist deep at low tide but Safety First!!

Ruby takes to Kayaking like a duck to water.

All the kid gets loaded on to the Kayaks and we head up a little tributary. It’s a magical experience as we glide up this little creek that opens up to a waterfall! It’s so peaceful! Simon leaves the kids and me for a few minutes to enjoy the serenity as a family “nice touch mate”

We work our way back to the boat. Then ruby and I set off on another paddle as the cruise boat follows us up the river!

By this time we have spent about 4-5 hours and we turn around and head down river back to the ramp taking in the beauty of the river and all the wild life.

The Cruise and Kayak experience was awesome and I would recommend it to anyone and we will most definitely be heading back to Evans Head.

Simon and Lorraine were awesome and so enthusiastic check out the website and make a booking if your ever near Evans head

www.evansrivercruises.com.au

we unload the boat and say our goodbyes!

Next stop “Check the Surf” then?

“YAMBA”

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 9th, 2010 at 12:24 pm and is filed under 02. TV. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.